Spray tube and nozzle assembling machine



Nov. 24, 1959 Filed May 7, 1957 R. F. GRAY SPRAY TUBE AND NOZZLEASSEMBLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR M,M,M%

ATTORNEYS R. F. GRAY 2,913,816

SPRAY TUBE ma NOZZLE ASSEMBLING MACHINE Nov. 24, 1959 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed llay 7, 1957 INVENTOR fioerz E'Gray umming 1959 R. F. GRAY2,913,816

SPRAY TUBEAND NOZZLE ASSEMBLING MACHINE" Filed May 7, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet s w INVENTOR Q fioerzfaray mil, 6

ATTORNEYS Nov. 24, 1959 R. F. GRAY SPRAY TUBE AND nozzua ASSEMBLINGmcnmn 4 Shqets-Shet 4 Filed lay 7, 1957 INVENTOR fio$er2 f G7 BY I m Y5United States Patent SPRAY TUBE AND NOZZLE ASSEMBLING MACHINE Robert F.Gray, Wheaton, lll., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., NewYork, N.Y., a corporation of The presentlyknown and popular squeeze typespray container has a spray nozzle and a discharge tube extending fromthe nozzle down into the liquid in the container. -When the body of thebottle is squeezed, the pressure inside thecontainer drives the liquidthrough the tube and also drives the air above the liquid level throughair passages in the nozzle, causing the air and liquid to mix in thenozzle above the tube outlet and be discharged from the nozzle in theform of a spray. The nozzle and tube are customarily formed from plasticand the upper end of the tube is friction-fitted into a socket of thenozzle.

The present invention provides a simple, rapid and eflicient machine forcutting tubing into proper lengths and for assembling the spray nozzlesand the cut tubing lengths in readiness for mounting of the nozzles onthe containers.

An intermittently driven table is provided having receivers foradvancing lengths of tubing from a tubing feeding and cut off station toa nozzle applying station at which the nozzles are initially applied,then to a pressing station at which the nozzles are tightly pressed ontothe tube lengths, and finally to an ejecting station at which theassembled units are ejected from the receivers: and the invention hasaimed to provide a highly prac tical machine embodying thesecharacteristics.

In carrying out the above end, a further object has been to make novelprovision at the tubing feeding and cut-off station for feeding tubingfrom a supply roll into each receiver presented at said station, forsevering the tubing when the desired length thereof has been insertedinto the receiver, for then preventing further feeding of tubing untilthe next receiver is presented, and for then freeing the tubing andresuming the feed.

Another object of the invention has been to provide novel tubing cut offmeans having one stage of operation in which the tubing is severed, asecond stage in which it prohibits further feeding of the tubing untilthe next receiver arrives, and a third stage in which it frees thetubing for further feeding into the then presented receiver. i V

,A further object has been to provide a constantly driven friction wheelto contact withthe tubing and feed it whenever permitted to do so, saidfriction wheel merely slipping on the tubing during the periods in whichfeeding-is prohibited,

A still further .object has beento make novel provision for limitinginsertion of the tubing into the receivers and for -supporting the cutoff tubing lengths during their travel through the nozzle applying andpressing stations, to the ejecting station,

Another object has been to make novel provision for pneumaticallyejecting the assembled units from the receivers. I f,

Yet another object has been to pneumatically actuate the table drivingorindexing means, the tubing cut off means and the nozzle press by meansof compressed air cylinders and yalvestherefor, said valves beingactuated 2,913,816 Patented Nov. 24, 1959 "ice by means of a constantlydriven cam shaft which also drives the tubing feeding friction wheel.

With the above andother objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: V

Figure l of the accompanying drawings is a front elevation of themachine, partly broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a view partially in top plan and partially in section, online 22'of Figure 1, the valves being omitted to disclose the subjacentcams. i

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on line 33 of Figure 2, showingone of the valves and its operating cam, the latter being turned to. adiflerent position from that shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line 4-4 of Figure 1' showingthe table indexing means.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 2,showing a length of tubing engaged with one of the receivers, and aspray nozzle initially applied to said length of tubing.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view showing theejectingmeans.

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on line 7--7 of Figure2, showing the tubing cut off means,

Figure 8 is a diagram showing the pneumatic system.

Figure 9 is a view showing the profiles of thevalve actuating cams.

The construction disclosed in the drawings will be rather specificallydescribed but attention is invited to the possibility of makingvariations.

A pedestal 10 is secured upon a base plate 11 and is provided with anupstanding stub 12 on which an assembly'of table 13, indexing wheel 14and spacing ring 15, is rotatably mounted, the elements 13, 14 and 15being securedtogether by screws 16 and dowel pins 17. The indexing wheel14 rests on the upper end of the pedestal 10 and said pedestal endisrecessed at' 18 to receive an indexing arm 19 which is provided with abearing 20 surrounding the stub 12.

A cylinder'and piston assembly 21 is provided for operating the arm 19,said arm being linked at 22 to a head 23 on the piston rod 24 of saidassembly. The arm 19 carries a spring pressed pawl 25 successivelyengageable with circumferentially spaced notches .26 in the indexingwheel 14 to intermittently drive this wheel and the table 13; and aspring pressed dog 27 is provided to hold said wheel and table aftereach turn imparted thereto. In order to assure accurate stopping of thewheel at each indexing movement, a stop pin 27 may be provided andplaced as shown in Figure 4 for engagement by the pawl 25 at it movesthe wheel the successive step distances.

The table 13 is provided with circumferentially spaced upstandingtubular receivers 28 for successively advancing cut ofi lengths oftubing 29 from a tubing feeding and cut off station S to a nozzleapplying station S, then to a'nozzle pressing station S and finally toan ejecting station S In the present disclosure, there are ten of thereceivers 28 and consequently ten of the notches 26 in the indexing orratchet wheel 14. It is to be understood that when the nozzles are beinghand fed they may be applied at the designated station S or at any oneof theadjacent stations between the tube cut off station and the nozzlepressing station.

All of the receivers 28 are open at the lower side of the table 13; anda horizontal plate 30 is fixedly mounted under said table to limit theinsertion of tubing into any receiver presented at the feedingandcut-ofi station S, and to support each cut olf tubing length 29 duringits travel to the other stations 8, S and S At the station S, a standard31 is secured to and extends upwardly from the base 11, said standardconsisting of a vertical channel bar 32 and two parallel side plates 33secured to opposite sides of said channel bar. The side plates 33 are ofinverted L-shape to provide them with' portions 34 which overhang thetable 13. Between the lower edges of the plate portions 34, a horizontalblock 35 is secured. This block 35 rigidly carries a vertical tubularguide 36 for the plastic tubing 37 from which the lengths 29 are to becut; and a horizontal knife 38 is mounted under said block' and guidefor severing said tubing. 'The guide 36' is so positioned that eachreceiver 28 presented at the station S will be vertically aligned withsaid guide. When this alignment occurs, the tubing 37 isfed'downwardlythrough the guide 36 into the receivei 28 until it strikesthe plate 30, and the knife 38 then functions to sever the tubing, lmving a cut off length 29 thereof in 'the'receiver. The knife 38 thenfunctions to prohibit further downward feeding of more of the tubing 37until the -next receiver 28 arrives at the station S, and then'functions to free the tubing 37 for insertion intov the positionedreceiver.

The tubing guide 36 projects somewhat downward from the block 35 (seeFigures 1 and 7) and a knife guiding screw 39 projects downwardly acorresponding. distance from said block. The knife 38 contacts slidablywith the projecting ends of the guide and screw and is held by a spring40 against them. This spring surrounds a headed screw 41, the upper endof which is threaded into the block 35; and the knife 38 has a slot 42through which said screw extends. The spring 40 reacts on the head ofthis screw. By adjusting the screw 39 the accuracy and quality of thetube cutting can be determined.

A cylinder and piston assembly 43 (see Figures 1 and 2) is mounted at 44between the side plates 33 of the standard 31; and the outer end of theknife 38 is connected at 45 with a head 46 on the piston rod 47 of saidassembly. This assembly serves to project the knife 38 to sever thetubing 37, then holds said knife projected until the next receiver 28.arrives at the station S, and then retracts said knife to free thetubing 37 for further downward feeding.

Above the tubing guide 36, a grooved guide wheel 48 (Figure l) and agrooved feed wheel 49 are provided for the tubing 37, said wheels beingchain and sprocket connected, as. seen at. 50. A third wheel 51 is alsoprovided to. press the tubing 37 against the feed wheel 49, said wheel51 being carried bya yoke. 52 which is pivotallymounted at 53 and biasedtoward said feed wheel 49 by a spring 54. All of the elements 48, 49, 51and 2.a re located between the upper portions of the side plates 33 andthese plate portions also preferably carry additional fixed guides 55for the tubing 37.

The guide wheel 48 and feedwheel 49 are constantly driven by meanshereinafter described, and whenever the knife allows downward feeding ofthe tubing 37, the friction between this tubing and the feed wheel 49causes such feeding. When the tubing comes to rest against the plate 30,the feed ,Wheel 49 merely slips on the tubing. Also, whenever feeding ofthe tubing is being prohibited bythe knife 38, the feed wheel.49.slipsbutstands in readiness to resume feeding. of. theftubing. when thelattei 'is released by knife retraction.

A second standard 56 (Figures 1 and 2)- is secured toaand rises, fromthe base 11 at the pressing station S standard having av lateral plate57 to which the aetuating cylinder 58 of a pneumatic press 59 is securedThe press plunger 61 ispositioned to. exert downward pressure on eachspray. nozzle 62 presented at the station The nozzles 62 are, in, the.present' form of thefinachine, initially placed by hand on..theupwardly P9j i ng dS of thetubing lengths 29, at'the nozzle applytngstati on S j. It is tQ-be .understood that provision can be made formechanically and automatically placing the nozzles on the tube lengths,and also for the cutting and receiving of varied lengths of tubing.

The standard 56 and the aforesaid standard 31 jointly support the plate30 upon which the tubing lengths 29 rest, said plate being secured tosaid standards at 63.

At the ejecting station S the plate 30 is formed with a port 64 (Figures2 and 6) having an upwardly directed end 65 so located that each tubinglength 29 presented at said station, will be aligned with said port end.When such alignment occurs, a blast of compressed air is admitted to theport 64 and the upward discharge of this air blast ejects the tubinglength 29 with its pressed-on nozzle 62. An arched tube 66 is shown inFigure l to receive each ejected unit and conduct it to a suitablereceptacle.

A third standard 67 (Figures 2 and 3) is secured to the base 31 andrises therefrom in laterally spaced rela tion with one of the sideplates 33 of the standard 31. Two horizontally spaced rods 68 extendfrom this side plate to the upper end of the standard 67, said rodsbeing secured at 69 to said plate and at 70 to said standard. Below therods 68 a cam shaft 71extends from the standard 67 to the standard 31,said cam shaft being mounted in bearings 72 carried by said standards 67and 31, respectively. This cam shaft is chain and sprocket connected at73 with the feed wheel 49 and is constantly driven by any suitablemeans. It is shown in Figure 2 as chain and sprocket connected at 74 tothe driven shaft 75 of a gearing unit 76, the drive shaft- 77 of whichmay be directly connected to the shaft of an electric motor.

Four valves 21a, 64a, 58a and 43a are secured to the rods 68. Thesevalves are represented by broken lines in Figure 2 and arediagrammatically shown in Figure 8, and one of said valves (21a) isshown in full lines in Figure 3. Each of the valves is provided with anactuating arm 78 (Figure 3) having a cam follower 79. These followersengage actuating cams on the cam shaft 71, one cam 21b being providedfor the valve 21a, one cam 64b for the valve 64a, one cam 58b for thevalve 58a, and one cam 43b for the valve 43a.

All of the valves receive compressed air from a line 80 (Figure 8) andthis line may have appropriate control valves 81 and pressure regulatingvalves 82. The valve 21a is connected by a line 210 with the cylinder ofthe assembly 21 which actuates the table indexing means: the valve 43ais connected by a line 430 to the assembly 43 which operates the knife38: the valve 58a is connected by a line 58c to the actuating cylinder58 of the press 59: and the valve 64a is connected by a line 64c to theejection port 64.

Each of the valves 21a, 43a and 58a is of a known type which admits airto the connected cylinder for piston operation when actuated by itsrespective cam, and later exhausts air from the cylinder when releasedby the cam, allowing piston return under the influence of a springconventionally embodied in the cylinder and piston assembly. The valve584 may be of a more simple type, as it need only open to discharge anejection blast from the port 64, and then close.

Operation With the machine in idle position, one of the receivers 28 isdisposed at the tubing feeding and cut off station S, several of saidreceivers are at the nozzle applying station 5', one isalways at thepressing station S and one at the ejection station S The knife 38 thenoccupies its retracted position, the press plunger 61 is in its raisedposition, and the indexing arm 19 is in its retracted position. With themachine thus idle, some of the tubing 37 is unreeled, threaded throughthe first of the guides 55, passed over the guide wheel 48, thenthreaded through the second of the guides 55 and the guide 36, andfinally inserted into the subjacent receiver 28 to the limit allowed bythe plate 30. Some of these operations may be facilitated by manuallyswinging the yoke 52 to dispose it and the. wheel 51 in anout-of-thc-way position. Upon return of this yoke and wheel, the latterholds the tubing 37 against the feed wheel 49. Having thus preparedthemachine for-operation, the cam shaft 71 is driven and tlie knife 38is automatically projected to sever the tubing 37 above the receiver 28into'which it has been inserted. The indexing arm 19 is thenautomatically actuated to turn the table 13' one tenth ofa revolution,said arm then returning. During this first indexing step of the table,the knife 38 remains in projected position and thus prohibits furtherfeeding of the tubing 37 while the next receiver is arriving atthestations; and during this period, thefeed wheel 49 simply slips on thetubing. Upon arrival of the next receiver, however, the knife iswithdrawn and the tubing is fed automatically into said receiver andagain cut off and so on, further, feeding of tubing being temporarilyprohibited after each cut ofioperation, until the next receiver arrives..As the receivers 28 and the cut ofitubing lengths 29 therein becomeaccessible at the nozzle applying station S, a nozzle 62 is telescopedby handover each receiver and contained tubing length and initiallypushed down to start the tube end into the nozzle socket. When eachnozzle-carrying tube arrives at the pressing station S the press plunger61 is automatically actuated to force the nozzle tightly onto the tubeand is then withdrawn. Aseach tube with its fully pressed-on nozzlearrives at the ejetcion station S a blast of air is automaticallydischarged from the port 64, thereby ejecting the assemb led unit. z

From the foregoing it will be seen that a novel and advantageousconstruction has .been disclosed for attaining the desired ends.However, attention is again invited to the possibility of makingvariations within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a flexible spray tube and spray nozzle assembling machine, arotary table having circumferentially spaced tubular receivers intowhich to insert lengths of tubing in readiness for application of spraynozzles thereto dimensioned to snugly but slidably receive and supportthe tubing against lateral flexure, indexing means for intermittentlydriving said table to successively advance the tubing lengths from atubing feeding and cut off station to a nozzle applying station, then toa nozzle pressing station and finally to an ejecting station, frictionroll feeding means at said feeding and cut off station for feedingtubing into each receiver presented at this station, means fordetermining and limiting the length of tubing inserted into eachreceiver, cut off means at said feeding and cut off station for severingthe tubing after it has been inserted into the receiver and theinsertion thereof has been stopped by said limiting means, a press atsaid pressing station for pressing onto each length of tubing a nozzleapplied at said nozzle applying station, ejecting means operable througha tubular receiver presented at said ejecting station for ejecting eachtubing length and its attached nozzle, and means for operating saidindexing means, said feeding means, said out off means, said press, andsaid ejecting means.

2. In a spray tube and spray nozzle assembling machine, a rotary tablehaving circumferentially spaced receivers into which to insert lengthsof tubing in readiness for application of spray nozzles thereto,indexing means for intermittently driving said table to successivelyadvance the tubing lengths from a tubing feeding and cut off station toa nozzle applying station, then to a nozzle pressing station and finallyto an ejecting station, said indexing means having an actuatingcylinder, feeding means at said feeding and cut off station for feedingtubing into each receiver presented at this station, said feeding meansincluding a friction wheel for contact with the tubing being fed, meansfor limiting the insertion of the tubing into each receiver, cut offmeans at said feeding and cut off station for severing the tubinginserted intothe receiver, said cut ofi means having an actuatingcylinder and also having a portion which prohibits feeding of moretubing after severance until the next receiver arrives at said feedingand cut off station, a press at said pressing station for pressing ontoeach length of tubing a nozzle applied at said nozzle applying station,said press having an actuating cylinder, pneumatic ejecting means atsaid ejecting station for ejecting each tubing length and its attachednozzle, individual means for conducting compressed air to and from saidactuating cylinders of said indexing means, said cut off means and saidpress, said conducting means having individual valves, an additionalvalve for said pneumatic ejecting means, a constantly driven cam shafthaving cams for actuating all of said valves, and driving meansoperatively connecting the aforesaid friction wheel with said drivenshaft, said friction wheel being adapted to slip on the tubing whenfurther feeding of said tubing is arrested by the aforesaid portion ofsaid cut off means.

3. In a flexible spray tube and spray nozzle assembling machine, arotary table having thereon circumferentially spaced tubular receiversof equal length bearing normal relation to the plane of the table andeach attached at one end to the table and: opening therethrough and having its other end remote from the table open to adapt it for receivingandjsupporting against lateral flexing a predetermined length of tubinggreater in length than the length of each tubular receiver, a fixedtubing support adjacent said table and positioned close to the openingsof thetubular receivers through said table so as to support tubinglengths when inserted in said receivers with end portions of said tubinglengths projecting beyond said remote open ends of said receivers inreadiness for the application of spray nozzles onto said projecting endportions of the tubing lengths, and means for intermittently drivingsaid table.

4. A structure as specified in claim 3; together with a press mountedrelative to said table in position to press nozzles initially applied onsaid tubing length projecting end portions, and means for operating saidpress in timed relation with the intermittent rotation of said table.

5. A structure as specified in claim 3; said tubing sup port having acompressed air passage which opens through the side of said supportclose to the rotary table in position to direct a blast of air into eachof the successively advanced receivers to eject the nozzle carryingtubing length therefrom, a compressed air conduit connected with saidpassage and having a valve, and means for operating said valve in timedrelation with the intermittent rotation of said table.

6. In a flexible spray tube and spray nozzle assembling machine, a basehaving an upstanding pedestal and upstanding standards radially spacedfrom said pedestal, a horizontal table rotatably mounted on saidpedestal, said table having thereon circumferentially spaced upstandingtubular receivers of equal length bearing normal relation to the tableand each attached at its lower end to the table and opening downwardlytherethrough and having its upper end open to adapt it for receiving andsupporting against lateral flexing a predetermined length of tubinggreater than the length of each tubular receiver,

a horizontal tubing supporting plate mounted under said table andpositioned close to the lower open ends of the tubular receivers so asto support tubing lengths when inserted downwardly into and through thereceivers with end portions of said tubing lengths projecting beyond theupper ends of the receivers in readiness for the application of spraynozzles onto said projecting end portions of the tubing lengths, saidplate also being positioned to support the tubing lengths againstdownward movement during said nozzle applications, and means forintermittently driving said table.

7. A structure as specified in claim 6: together with a press mounted inposition to downwardly press nozzles initially applied on said tubinglength projecting end portions, and means for-operating said press intimed relation with the intermittent rotation of said table.

8. In a spray tube and spray nozzle assembling machine, a rotary tablehaving circumferentially spaced tubular receivers bearing normalrelation to the plane of the table and having receiving ends, a tubingguide stationarily mounted close to the plane of movement of thereceiving ends of said receivers, said tubing guide and said receiversbeing spaced equidistantly from the axis of said table, means forintermittently driving said table to successively present said receiversin alignment with said tubing guide, tubing feed means mounted inposition to feed tubing through said tubing guide and into each of saidtubular receivers aligned therewith, means for limiting the feeding ofthe tubing into each of said receivers, tubing cut off means mounted incooperative relation to said tubing guide, said cut off means having onephase of operation in which it severs the tubing, a second phase inwhich it prohibits feeding of more tubing until the next receiver hasmoved into alignment with said guide, and a third phase in which itfrees the tubing for feeding into the then aligned receiver, and meansfor operating said cut off means in timed relation with the intermittentrotation of said table.

9. A structure as specified in claim 8, in which said cut off meanscomprises a knife and means mounting said knife for proceeding andreceding movements.

10. A structure as specified in claim 8, in which said operating meansfor said cut off means includes a cylinder and piston assembly, and acam actuated valve for admitting compressed air into the cylinder ofsaid assembly and exhausting used air therefrom.

11. A structure as specified in claim 8, in which said tubing feed meanscomprises. a constantly driven feed wheel contacting frictionally withthe tubing and slipping on said tubing during said first and secondphases of said cut off means.

12. In a machine'having successively advanced receivers forconveyinglengths of tubing, stationary tubing guide means in alignment with whichsaid receivers are successively positioned, tubing feed means forfeeding tubing through said guide means into any receiver alignedtherewith, said feed means including a constantly driven friction wheelfor contact with the tubing, and tubing cut off means between said guidemeans and said receivers, said cut off means having one phase ofoperation in which it severs the tubing, a second phase in whichitprohibits feeding of more tubing until the next receiver'has movedinto alignment with said guide means, and a third phase in whichitffrees the tubing for feeding into the then aligned receiver, saidfriction wheel being adapted to slip on the tubing during the aforesaidsecond phase.

13. A structure as specified in claim 12 in which said cut-off meanscomprises a knife and means slidably mounting said knife for proceedingand receding movements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,332,538 Bourque Mar. 12, 1920 1,482,687 Kraft Feb. 5, 1924 1,681,829'Wesseler Aug. 21, 1928 2,270,300 Hothersoll Jan. 20, 1942 2,554,982Hartley May 29, 1951 2,698,478 Heisterkamp Jan. '4, 1955

